The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will finance ten infrastructure projects in the northwestern mountainous province of Son La, Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, Mr. Cam Ngoc Minh, has announced.

Loans worth VND200 billion ($9 million) will be poured into seven irrigation, one traffic, and two electricity projects.

Son La is committed to formulating progressive conditions for construction to begin on the projects as soon as possible.

JICA earlier provided $10.4 million in non-refundable aid for a five-year plan on sustainable resources in Son La, Hoa Binh, Dien Bien, and Lai Chau provinces in the north and Lam Dong province in the central highlands.

The plan is part of efforts to increase timberland coverage to 47 per cent by 2020.